Slow acting fertilizer composition and method

Abstract

A process for making a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer comprising mixing agricultural products, a surfactant and urea at elevated temperature and then pelletizing the fertilizer. Fertilizers made by the above process.

I claim:  
     
       1. A method for making a slow acting, high nitrogen fertilizer comprising the following acts: 
       a) blending a mixture of components comprising pulverized alfalfa, urea, a synthetic wetting agent and at least one high tannin component chosen from the group consisting of pulverized raisin stems, pulverized grape stems, and pulverized nut shells, wherein said mixture of components comprises between about 52% to about 82% of alfalfa plus the at least one high tannin component and the amount of urea is chosen such that said mixture of components has a nitrogen content between about 6% and about 15%;  
       b) heating said mixture of components to an elevated temperature above about 170° F. in the presence of steam to form a reacted mass; and  
       c) forming said reacted mass into fertilizer pellets, whereby said fertilizer pellets may be conveniently applied to a soil surface and will quickly deteriorate when watered and whereby said urea will be slowly released into the soil.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said alfalfa and said at least one high tannin component are pulverized to a size smaller than about 16 mesh. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one high tannin component is chosen from the group consisting of pulverized raisin stems and pulverized walnut shells. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the mixture of components further comprises granular humate. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein the pH of said mixture of components is acidic. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the act of forming pellets from said reacted mass is performed in a pellet mill. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3  wherein the act of forming pellets from said reacted mass is performed in a pellet mill. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5  wherein the act of forming pellets from said reacted mass is performed in a pellet mill. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  wherein the act of heating said mixture of components is performed in said pellet mill. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein the act of heating said mixture of components is performed in said pellet mill. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8  wherein the act of heating said mixture of components is performed in said pellet mill. 
     
     
       12. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       13. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 3 . 
     
     
       14. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
       15. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
       16. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
       17. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
       18. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
       19. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
       20. The fertilizer pellets prepared according to  claim 11 .